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September 29, 2017

AAP forces DMRC to put Metro fare hike on hold

<!– /11440465/Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The proposed fare hike by the Delhi Metro has been put on hold for the time being after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday directed Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot to find a way out to prevent the hike within a week. The hike was proposed to come into effect from October 10.Calling the proposed hike ‘anti-people’, Kejriwal directed Gahlot to find an alternative.In a meeting with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief Mangu Singh, Gahlot directed the DMRC to put the fare hike on hold till the “rationale behind the hike is explained and all relevant documents are shown to the Delhi government.”“The hike in fares was likely to affect a large number of commuters in Delhi. The Delhi Metro is directed to put on hold any further hike till the Delhi government completes its inquiry and ascertain the rationale behind it,” said Gahlot in an order.However when asked, the DMRC said that they have not received any correspondence from the Delhi government in this regard so far.The minister raised the issue of why the Fare Fixation Committee (which recommended the hike) which is appointed by the Central government, did not take the same stance as the Delhi government.This was the second time in the year that the fares were proposed to be hiked with metro fare for rides almost doubling.The fares were increased following the recommendations of the fourth Fare Fixation Committee appointed by the Central government.However, according to DMRC officials, not wishing to be named, for every Rs 1 recovered from operation, the surplus available to DMRC is Rs 0.26 during the year 206-17, out of which the Metro spent Rs 0.27 towards paying the debt (JICA loan). Thus, no funds are left to meet the cost of replacement of assets.“The net loss before tax for the 2016-17 fiscal comes to Rs 378.29 crore,” he said. FARES DOUBLEDA passenger who now pays Rs 36 for a said ride will now have have to shell Rs 60, if the hike is implemented. Similarly, the Rs 18 ride was proposed to be hiked to Rs 30. Last time the fares were revised in May with the minimum fare hiked from Rs 8 to Rs 10, while the maximum fare was hiked from Rs 30 to Rs 50.